If you’re working for someone else and feel underpaid, here’s the good news: You can probably earn more without changing clinics. But before you ask for a pay rise, you need to understand this: it’s not about demanding more money; it’s about increasing your value first.
As an employer, there’s nothing more frustrating than an employee asking for a raise without first demonstrating growth, initiative, or measurable contribution. Simply “doing your job” isn’t a valid reason to earn more. Let’s look at five practical ways to become worth more genuinely, and in turn, get paid more.
1. Track & Communicate Your Value
Most clinic owners have no idea how much each employee contributes on a day-to-day basis. So start keeping records.
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How many patients do you see each week?
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How much revenue are you generating?
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How many positive reviews or pieces of feedback have mentioned you by name?
These are not just numbers; they’re proof of your impact. When you can show the data, you have leverage.
2. Take Ownership Beyond the Treatment Room
Podiatrists who stand out are those who contribute to the clinic’s growth outside their core treatment role. Offer to help with marketing, social media, or community events. Write a short blog or record a one-minute educational video about foot health.
It’s about being seen as a proactive contributor, not just someone who clocks in and out. Small actions add big value when they help raise the clinic’s profile or strengthen its brand.
3. Learn Skills That Boost Clinic Profitability
Upskilling is one of the fastest ways to increase your value, but do it on your time and your dime. Don’t wait for your employer to suggest courses or give you time off.
Learn treatments that directly boost revenue, like dry needling, laser therapy, or sports rehab. When you can generate new income streams, you become indispensable.
If you bring in $20,000 in new treatments per year, asking for a $5,000 pay rise isn’t unreasonable — it’s good business sense.
4. Strengthen Patient Retention
Here’s something many employees don’t realise: most clinics make very little profit from a patient’s first visit. The real profit comes from ongoing care and loyal patients.
When you focus on rebooking and recall systems, and genuinely build long-term patient relationships, you’re saving the clinic thousands in marketing costs and doing the right thing by your patients.
5. Communicate Professionally About Money
When it’s time to discuss pay, don’t ambush your boss. Book a proper career review meeting. Bring your data — patient stats, feedback, and examples of how you’ve helped the clinic grow.
Say something like, “Here’s how I’ve contributed, and here’s how I see my role evolving in the future.”
You could even propose a performance-based pay structure, such as a commission, CPD bonuses, or extra holidays. Remember, it’s not just about money, it’s about maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Final Thoughts
If you want to earn more, start by documenting your impact, developing new skills, helping your clinic thrive, and having that professional conversation.
When you focus on increasing your value first, the pay rise often follows naturally. Because when podiatrists grow, the whole profession grows with them.
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